Karnataka tightens filming rules in forest areas

The Karnataka government plans to mandate prior approval for shooting films, documentaries, TV serials, and videos in forest areas. This move follows recent incidents of environmental damage and unauthorized activities in wildlife sanctuaries, including allegations against Kantara Chapter 2 for harming the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary. Complaints also highlighted unauthorized drone use and illegal access to protected areas.

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Forest, Environment, and Ecology Minister Eshwar Khandre directed the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) to issue an order requiring government approval for filming in Karnataka’s forests and zoos. The decision aims to safeguard sensitive ecosystems and address complaints about such violations.

Currently, filming permissions are managed locally upon payment of nominal fees, but this process has led to confusion and increased ecological risks. Minister Khandre expressed concerns that videos, especially those shared on social media, could attract tourists and disrupt the region’s ecological balance. “Wildlife and ecology are sensitive to human actions and may take decades to recover from damage,” he noted in a letter to the ACS.

The revised rules will apply to all productions, including those by forest department officials. The Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) currently oversees permissions through the SevaSindhu portal, but productions will also require approval from relevant departments based on the location. Violators will face legal action under the Forest Act.

The initiative underscores Karnataka’s commitment to protecting its forests and wildlife from unchecked human interference.